Offbeat Pictures of The Week - February 21

Offbeat Pictures of The Week - February 21

GERMANY-OFFBEAT-FLASHMOB-HARLEM SHAKE

JOHN MACDOUGALL

A participant in a flashmob blows up an inflatable sex doll as flashmobbers get ready to dance the Harlem Shake in front of the Berlin cathedral February 20, 2013. The flashmob was called in an effort to gather as many people as possible and perform the Harlem Shake in sub-zero temperatures. AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL

A participant in a flashmob blows up an inflatable sex doll as flashmobbers get ready to dance the Harlem Shake in front of the Berlin cathedral February 20, 2013. The flashmob was called in an effort to gather as many people as possible and perform the Harlem Shake in sub-zero temperatures. AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL

The Sydney Doll Hospital Centenary

Mark Kolbe

Piles of doll body parts are seen at Sydney's Original Doll Hospital in Bexley on February 19, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1913 by Harold Chapman Jnr the Doll hospital is now run by Geoff Chapman, the third generation of Chapmans to run the business and will celebrate 100 years of repairing all types of dolls, teddy bears, rocking horses, umbrellas, prams and various other items.

Piles of doll body parts are seen at Sydney's Original Doll Hospital in Bexley on February 19, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1913 by Harold Chapman Jnr the Doll hospital is now run by Geoff Chapman, the third generation of Chapmans to run the business and will celebrate 100 years of repairing all types of dolls, teddy bears, rocking horses, umbrellas, prams and various other items.

Meteor Explosion Over Chelyabinsk

The Asahi Shimbun

A hole, thought to be made by the fragment of the meteor in the ice of Chebarkul Lake is seen on February 16, 2013 some 80 kilometers from Chelyabinsk, Russia. Local government reported more than 1,100 people injured, mostly by flying glass broken by the shock wave of the meteor explosion.

A hole, thought to be made by the fragment of the meteor in the ice of Chebarkul Lake is seen on February 16, 2013 some 80 kilometers from Chelyabinsk, Russia. Local government reported more than 1,100 people injured, mostly by flying glass broken by the shock wave of the meteor explosion.

Vasant Panchami Festival

Hindustan Times

Hindus immerse the idol of goddess Saraswati into the Yamuna river after the Vasant Panchami festival on February 17, 2013 in Noida, India. Vasant Panchami sometimes referred to as Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami, is a Hindu festival. On this day Hindus worship Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture. This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day or Panchami of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, which falls during January-February.

Hindus immerse the idol of goddess Saraswati into the Yamuna river after the Vasant Panchami festival on February 17, 2013 in Noida, India. Vasant Panchami sometimes referred to as Saraswati Puja or Shree Panchami, is a Hindu festival. On this day Hindus worship Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, art and culture. This festival is celebrated every year on the 5th day or Panchami of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha, which falls during January-February.

Saidaiji Temple Naked Festival

The Asahi Shimbun

Men only wear Japanese loincloths fight for grabbing sacred sticks 'Shingi' during the Naked Festival at Saidaiji Temple on February 16, 2013 in Okayama, Japan. Saidaiji Naked Festival (Hadaka Matsuri) is one of Japan's more eccentric festivals and sees some 9,000 men take part and battle to grab for pair of lucky sticks thrown by priests.

Men only wear Japanese loincloths fight for grabbing sacred sticks 'Shingi' during the Naked Festival at Saidaiji Temple on February 16, 2013 in Okayama, Japan. Saidaiji Naked Festival (Hadaka Matsuri) is one of Japan's more eccentric festivals and sees some 9,000 men take part and battle to grab for pair of lucky sticks thrown by priests.

Enthusiasts Enjoy Comic Con In The Midlands

Christopher Furlong

Tristan Ellis, aged 3, poses as Buzz Lightyear with his father Gavin Ellis during the MCM Midlands Comic Con Expo at The International Centre on February 16, 2013 in Telford, England. Enthusiasts at the Comic Convention are encouraged to wear a costume of their favourite comic character and flock to the Expo to gather all the latest news in the world of comics, manga, anime, film, cosplay, games and cult fiction.

Tristan Ellis, aged 3, poses as Buzz Lightyear with his father Gavin Ellis during the MCM Midlands Comic Con Expo at The International Centre on February 16, 2013 in Telford, England. Enthusiasts at the Comic Convention are encouraged to wear a costume of their favourite comic character and flock to the Expo to gather all the latest news in the world of comics, manga, anime, film, cosplay, games and cult fiction.

Cyber 'Jwibulnoli' Takes Place

Chung Sung-Jun

Performers spin illuminated cans during 'Cyber Jwibulnoli' at Everland on February 21, 2013 in Seoul, South Korea. Jwibulnoli is originally played on the first full moon of the lunar year, that is February 25 this year.

Performers spin illuminated cans during 'Cyber Jwibulnoli' at Everland on February 21, 2013 in Seoul, South Korea. Jwibulnoli is originally played on the first full moon of the lunar year, that is February 25 this year.

Exotic Foods Of The Singapore Wet Market

Cameron Spencer

Chicken feet are displayed for sale at the Singapore Chinatown Complex Wet Market on February 21, 2013 in Singapore. The Chinatown Complex Wet Market is a traditional Asian food market popular with elder Singaporeans that features fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, Chinese groceries and a variety of exotic delicacies. The bustling complex floors are never dry with melting ice and water used to clean the floors, fish and vegetables spilling through the space, thus earning the name 'Wet Market'. The markets have retained their relevance by guaranteeing freshness and a personal service between stall mongers and loyal customers.

Chicken feet are displayed for sale at the Singapore Chinatown Complex Wet Market on February 21, 2013 in Singapore. The Chinatown Complex Wet Market is a traditional Asian food market popular with elder Singaporeans that features fresh seafood, meat, vegetables, Chinese groceries and a variety of exotic delicacies. The bustling complex floors are never dry with melting ice and water used to clean the floors, fish and vegetables spilling through the space, thus earning the name 'Wet Market'. The markets have retained their relevance by guaranteeing freshness and a personal service between stall mongers and loyal customers.

The Sydney Doll Hospital Centenary

Mark Kolbe

Completed dolls awaiting collection after repair are seen on a shelf at Sydney's Original Doll Hospital in Bexley on February 19, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1913 by Harold Chapman Jnr the Doll hospital is now run by Geoff Chapman, the third generation of Chapmans to run the business and will celebrate 100 years of repairing all types of dolls, teddy bears, rocking horses, umbrellas, prams and various other items.

Completed dolls awaiting collection after repair are seen on a shelf at Sydney's Original Doll Hospital in Bexley on February 19, 2013 in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1913 by Harold Chapman Jnr the Doll hospital is now run by Geoff Chapman, the third generation of Chapmans to run the business and will celebrate 100 years of repairing all types of dolls, teddy bears, rocking horses, umbrellas, prams and various other items.

Saidaiji Temple Naked Festival Takes Place

Buddhika Weerasinghe

Japanese men wear loincloths as they enter the Saidaiji Temple during Naked Festival on February 16, 2013 in Okayama, Japan. Saidaiji Naked Festival (Hadaka Matsuri) is one of Japan's more eccentric festivals and sees some 9,000 men take part and battle to grab for pair of lucky sticks thrown by priests.

Japanese men wear loincloths as they enter the Saidaiji Temple during Naked Festival on February 16, 2013 in Okayama, Japan. Saidaiji Naked Festival (Hadaka Matsuri) is one of Japan's more eccentric festivals and sees some 9,000 men take part and battle to grab for pair of lucky sticks thrown by priests.

Tropical Islands Lures Winter Tourists

Sean Gallup

Visitors lounge at the 'South Sea' beach at the Tropical Islands indoor resort on February 15, 2013 in Krausnick, Germany. Located on the site of a former Soviet military air base, the resort occupies a hangar built originally to house airships designed to haul long-distance cargo. Tropical Islands opened to the public in 2004 and offers visitors a tropical getaway complete with exotic flora and fauna, a beach, lagoon, restaurants, water slide, evening shows, sauna, adventure park and overnights stays ranging from rudimentary to luxury. The hangar, which is 360 metres long, 210 metres wide and 107 metres high, is tall enough to enclose the Statue of Liberty.

Visitors lounge at the 'South Sea' beach at the Tropical Islands indoor resort on February 15, 2013 in Krausnick, Germany. Located on the site of a former Soviet military air base, the resort occupies a hangar built originally to house airships designed to haul long-distance cargo. Tropical Islands opened to the public in 2004 and offers visitors a tropical getaway complete with exotic flora and fauna, a beach, lagoon, restaurants, water slide, evening shows, sauna, adventure park and overnights stays ranging from rudimentary to luxury. The hangar, which is 360 metres long, 210 metres wide and 107 metres high, is tall enough to enclose the Statue of Liberty.

FRANCE-ANIMAL-CHIMPANZEE-OFFBEAT

JEAN-CHRISTOPHE VERHAEGEN

Europe's oldest chimpanzee Jojo, which died at 60 in 2012 is displayed mounted on February 21, 2013 during a presentation to public at the Museum-Aquarium in Nancy, eastern France, almost one year after its death. VERHAEGEN

Europe's oldest chimpanzee Jojo, which died at 60 in 2012 is displayed mounted on February 21, 2013 during a presentation to public at the Museum-Aquarium in Nancy, eastern France, almost one year after its death. VERHAEGEN

Agatha Ruiz de la Prada - Runway - MBFW Madrid F/W 2013

Carlos Alvarez

A model showcases designs by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada on the runway at the Agatha Ruiz de la Prada show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid Fall/Winter 2013/14 at Ifema on February 20, 2013 in Madrid, Spain.

A model showcases designs by Agatha Ruiz de la Prada on the runway at the Agatha Ruiz de la Prada show during Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Madrid Fall/Winter 2013/14 at Ifema on February 20, 2013 in Madrid, Spain.

Keywords

A participant in a flashmob blows up an inflatable sex doll as... News PhotoBerlin,Berlin Cathedral,Blowing,Dancing,Diplomacy,Doll,Flash Mob,Germany,Horizontal,Inflatable,Participant,Politics,PreparationPhotographer JOHN MACDOUGALLCollection: AFP 2013 AFPA participant in a flashmob blows up an inflatable sex doll as flashmobbers get ready to dance the Harlem Shake in front of the Berlin cathedral February 20, 2013. The flashmob was called in an effort to gather as many people as possible and perform the Harlem Shake in sub-zero temperatures. AFP PHOTO / JOHN MACDOUGALL (Photo credit should read JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images)